Benton Ag Plus - March 3, 2018

PAGE 1B

Serving rural Benton County, Morrison, Mille Lacs & Kanabec Counties.

BENTON AG Plus

Sauk Rapids Herald

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Fuchs returns to cows after knee surgery

BY JENNIFER COYNE STAFF WRITER

BOWLUS – After battling pain and discomfort, Jeremy Fuchs is back in the barn and with a clean bill of health.

Fuchs milks 34 cows with the support of his family – wife, Elizabeth, and children, stepdaughter, Charlotte, 9, stepson, Aiden, 5, daughter, Emily, 18 months, and daughter Joslyn, 4 months – near Bowlus.

The dairyman was bringing the herd into the tiestall barn for evening milking in November 2016 when his right knee gave way. With help from his family and neighbors, Fuchs was able to maintain the dairy all while spending more than a year recovering.

“When you call the neighbors and they both say they’ll be there in a second, that’s community and what small towns are all about,” Fuchs said. “They’ve been here when I needed help.”

As Fuchs slowly returns to his daily tasks on the farm, he is mindful of the journey he has been

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018

barn

through, vividly remembering the moment it all began. It was a pleasant fall day and his milking herd was in the cow yard.

“I was bringing cow 177 into the barn and planted myself in a position so she would go in. She went the other way, and I turned towards her and my knee popped twice before I went down,” Fuchs said.

While still able to move, yet uncomfortable from the incident, Fuchs continued about his work.

The following day, he underwent an X-ray and MRI. “I was placed in an immobilizer until I could see an orthopedic doctor,” Fuchs said. “My primary physician said I was a rare case and needed to see a specialist.”

Within four days, Fuchs had an appointment with a specialist at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. At the same time, he was scheduled for an arthroscopy where mobile cartilage was removed from a hole in his knee, PHOTO BY JENNIFER COYNE allowing the hole to seal naturally. Jeremy Fuchs and his three children – (from left) Emily, Joslyn and Aiden – prepare for morning chores Feb. 16.

Fuchs page 2

Fuchs milks 34 cows near Bowlus.

Ag community comes together at Central Minnesota Farm Show

ST. CLOUD — The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its 51st annual Central Minnesota Farm Show at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud Feb. 27 to March 1. Nearly 400 vendors manned booths and displays at the event which boasts an estimate of 4,000 attendees.

The event included equipment dealerships, construction outÀts and seed or feed companies, but also included businesses not normally associated with the ag community such as those representing household items, law ofÀces, banks and insurance agents.

Event goers had the opportunity to visit with booth merchants as well as attend informational sessions regarding equipment safety, water quality, market trends, estate planning and other various topics.

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

Farm show page 3B

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The Massmanns – (from left) Edmund, Tiffany, Lawrence and Alexandra – of Rockville, greet Gilman Co-op Creamery’s Gilly the Cow at the Central Minnesota Farm Show Feb. 27 in St. Cloud. The siblings were visiting the show with their parents.

PUBLIC NOTICES

BENTON AG | SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018 | PAGE 5B

SAUK RAPIDS-RICE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 47 REGULAR SEMI-MONTHLY BOARD MEETING Monday, February 12, 2018 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 (The ballot is to be initialed by two judges) “This combined polling place serves all territory in Independent School District No. 47 located in Minden Township, Precinct 1; 8. If the School District will be contracting to print the ballots Minden Township, Precinct 2; the City of Sauk Rapids, Precinct 1; for this special election, the Clerk is hereby authorized and directed the City of Sauk Rapids, Precinct 5; and the City of Sauk Rapids, to prepare instructions to the printer for layout of the ballot. Before Precinct 6 Benton County, Minnesota.” a contract in excess of $1,000 is awarded for printing ballots, the printer shall, upon request, furnish, in accordance with Minnesota Combined Polling Place: Statutes, Section 204D.04, a sufÀcient bond, letter of credit or Mississippi Heights Elementary School certiÀed check acceptable to the Clerk in an amount not less than 1003 4th Street South $1,000 conditioned on printing the ballots in conformity with the Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 Minnesota election law and the instructions delivered. The Clerk “This combined polling place serves all territory in Independent shall set the amount of the bond, letter of credit or certiÀed check in School District No. 47 located in the City of Sauk Rapids, Precinct an amount equal to the value of the purchase.

2; the City of St. Cloud, Ward 2, Precinct 4; and the City of St. 9. The Clerk shall prepare and have ready for use absentee Cloud, Ward 2 Precinct 1 Benton County, Minnesota.” ballots at least forty-six (46) days before the special election in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, Section 204B.35, Combined Polling Place: subdivision Pleasantview Elementary School 10. The Board shall appoint election judges and alternates 1009 6th Street North in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, Section 204B.21. The Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 appointments will be made at least twenty-Àve (25) days before the “This combined polling place serves all territory in Independent special election.

School District No. 47 located in the City of Sauk Rapids, Precinct 11. The Clerk shall provide for testing of the optical scan 3 Benton County, Minnesota.” voting system within the fourteen (14) day period before the special election and shall cause notice of the time and place of the test to be Combined Polling Place: published in the District’s ofÀcial newspaper at least two (2) days Riverside Church (formerly Bridge Community Church) before the test.

1702 West Highview Drive 12. The special election shall be held and the returns made Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 and canvassed in the manner prescribed by law and the Board shall “This combined polling place serves all territory in Independent meet on a date between the third day, May 11, 2018, and the tenth School District No. 47 located in the City of Sauk Rapids, Precinct day, May 18, 2018, after the special election for the purpose of 4; City of Sartell, Precinct 2; Sauk Rapids Township Benton canvassing the results thereof.

County, Minnesota.”

13. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 205A.07, subdivision 3a, the Clerk is hereby instructed to notify the Combined Polling Place: Commissioner of Education of the results of the special election Watab Town Hall and to provide the certiÀed vote totals for the ballot question in 660 75th Street Northeast written form within Àfteen (15) days after the results have been Rice, MN 56367 certiÀed by the Board.

“This combined polling place serves all territory in Independent 14. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 211A.02, School District No. 47 located in Watab Township; and Mayhew subdivision 6, the Clerk is hereby instructed to make any campaign Lake Township Benton County, Minnesota.” Ànance reports Àled with the Clerk by campaign committees within seven (7) days after the special election available on the School Combined Polling Place: District’s web site as soon as possible, but no later than thirty Rice City Hall (30) days after receipt of any such report. The Clerk is further 205 West Main Street instructed to provide the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Rice, MN 56367 Board with a link to the section of web site where such reports are “This combined polling place serves all territory in Independent made available. Such reports must remain available on the web site School District No. 47 located in the City of Rice, Langola for four (4) years from the date Àrst posted.

Township; and Graham Township Benton County, Minnesota.”

Upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Braun, Butkowski, Rogholt, Hauck, Holthaus, Solarz, Morse All qualiÀed electors residing in the School District may cast and the following voted against the same: their ballots at the polling places designated above during the None polling hours speciÀed above. whereupon the resolution was declared duly passed and A voter must be registered to vote to be eligible to vote in the special election. Unregistered individuals may register to vote at adopted.

APPROVAL OF BENTON COUNTY AGREEMENT the polling places on Election Day. A motion was made by Morse, seconded by Solarz and unanimously carried to approve the Agreement with the Benton Dated: February 12, 2018 County Auditor-Treasurer’s OfÀce to perform speciÀc election

BY ORDER OF THE SCHOOL BOARD services for the District’s Special Election on May 8, 2018.

BY ORDER OF THE SCHOOL BOARD AUTHORIZATION FOR AN ADDITIONAL PARAPROFESSIONAL AT SAUK RAPIDS-RICE MIDDLE SCHOOL A motion was made by Holthaus, seconded by Rogholt /s// , Clerk and unanimously carried to authorize the addition of up to 6.75 6. If paper ballots are being used, the Clerk is authorized and hours daily of Level VI paraprofessional time at SRRMS for the directed to secure a ballot box for the deposit of ballots at the polling remainder of the 2017 – 2018 school year. This request is based on places and to acquire and distribute such election materials as may increased one to one support needs identiÀed in IEP requirements be necessary for the proper conduct of this special election. If an for Middle School students.

AUTHORIZATION FOR ADDITIONAL optical scan voting system is being used, the Clerk shall comply with the laws and rules governing the procedures and requirements TRANSPORTATION PARAPROFESSIONAL TIME A motion was made by Braun, seconded by Morse and for optical scan voting systems. The Clerk is authorized and directed to acquire and distribute such election materials and to unanimously carried to authorize up to 1.5 hours daily of ride-atake such other actions as may be necessary for the proper conduct long paraprofessional time for the remainder of the 2017 – 2018 of this special election and generally to cooperate with election school year. This request is due to additional students needing authorities conducting any other elections on that date. The Clerk transportation services in the area of Special Education.

AUTHORIZATION OF THE PHASE I TECHNOLOGY and members of the administration are authorized and directed to take such actions as may be necessary to coordinate this election 1:1 LEASE RENEWAL AGREEMENT A motion was made by Solarz, seconded by Rogholt and with other elections, including entering into agreements with appropriate municipal and county ofÀcials regarding preparation unanimously carried to authorize administration to enter into a and distribution of ballots or ballot cards, election administration, lease agreement for our MacBook Air purchase. This lease would be a four-year agreement with annual payments not to exceed and cost sharing.

7. If paper ballots are being used, the Clerk is authorized and $285,150.66 to Apple Financial Services with a total lease cost not directed to cause a printed ballot for the question to be prepared in to exceed $1,140,602.64.

ADOPTION OF FEDERAL AND STATE RESOLUTIONS accordance with Minnesota Statutes, Section 205A.08, subdivision 5 and the rules of the secretary of state for use at the special URGING REFORMS TO FULLY FUND SPECIAL election. If an optical scan voting system is being used, the Clerk EDUCATION SERVICES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE shall cause ofÀcial ballots to be printed according to the format of MINNESOTA SCHOOLBOARDS ASSOCIATION (MSBA) A motion was made by Braun, seconded by Butkowski and ballots for optical scan voting systems provided by the laws and rules governing optical scan voting systems. The Clerk is further unanimously carried to adopt two resolutions, as recommended by authorized and directed to cause a sample ballot to be posted in the the MSBA. The resolutions will be collaboratively used by the Legislature, as well administrative ofÀces of the School District, for public inspection, MSBA to urge the Governor and State at least four (4) days before the date of the special election and as Congress to strenuously advocate for signiÀcant increases in to cause two sample ballots to be posted at each polling place on State and Federal special education funding and meaningful special the date of the special election and to cooperate with the proper education reforms at the Federal and State levels.

ADOPTION OF PROPOSED POLICIES election ofÀcials to cause ballots or ballot cards to be prepared A motion was made by Butkowski, seconded by Rogholt and for use at said election. The ballot shall be in substantially the following form, with such changes in form and instructions as may unanimously carried to adopt the following policies. #410 (Family and Medical Leave) is a “mandatory policy” be necessary to accommodate the use of an optical scan voting and will replace current policy #410 (Family and Medical Leave). system: • #414 (Mandated Reporting) is a “mandatory policy” and will replace current policy #414 (Mandated Reporting).

Special Election Ballot • #414 (Mandated Reporting Form) is a “mandatory form” and School District Ballot will replace current form #414 (Mandated Reporting Form).

Independent School District No. 47 • #616 (District Accountability) is a “mandatory policy” and (Sauk Rapids-Rice), Minnesota will replace current district policy #616 (District Accountability).

May 8, 2018 These policies require two readings before adoption, and will be posted for stakeholder input before ofÀcial adoption.

INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS ADDENDUM To vote, completely Àll in the oval next to your A motion was made by Holthaus, seconded by Braun and choice like this: To vote for a question, Àll in the oval next to the word “Yes” unanimously carried to approve the Addendum to the meeting’s “Consent Agenda.” for the question.

SUPERINTENDENT FINALIST CANDIDATES To vote against a question, Àll in the oval next to the word A motion was made by Morse, seconded by Butkowski and “No” for the question. unanimously carried to approve the Addendum to the meeting’s “Action Agenda.”

SCHOOL DISTRICT BALLOT QUESTION Board of Education members worked with Ken Dragseth from APPROVAL OF SCHOOL BUILDING BONDS School Exec Connect, to narrow the superintendent candidate Àeld YES Shall the School Board of Independent School and to arrange for details of the screening of Ànalists for the position.

NO District No. 47 (Sauk Rapids-Rice), Minnesota, Out of a Àeld of 28 applicants, information on nine (9) Ànalists be authorized to issue general obligation school was brought before the Board for consideration. The following building bonds in an amount not to exceed Àve (5) candidates were named Ànalists to be interviewed February $93,185,000, for acquisition and betterment of 21, 2018: William Adams, Mark Messman, Paul Neubauer, Tim school facilities, including the reconstruction of Onsager, and Aaron Sinclair. a new elementary school to replace Pleasantview ADJOURNMENT Elementary School in its current location, a With no further business appearing before the Board, a motion new elementary school on District owned was made by Butkowski, seconded by Solarz and carried adjourning property near the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School the meeting at 6:17 p.m. campus, improve secured entrances at Mississippi Respectfully submitted, Heights Elementary, Rice Elementary, Hillside Lisa J. Braun, Board of Education Clerk Early Childhood Center, Sauk Rapids-Rice Sauk Rapids-Rice ISD 47 Middle School, and Sauk Rapids-Rice High R-9-1B School, construction of outdoor Àelds for physical education and athletics at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, and expansion of early childhood learning space for Hillside Early Childhood Center and Rice Elementary School?

A semi monthly meeting of the Sauk Rapids-Rice Board of Education was called to order by the Board Chair Hauck Monday, February 12, 2018 at Àve thirty p.m. in the District OfÀce Board Room of said district.

ROLL CALL Members present included Braun, Butkowski, Hauck, Holthaus, Morse, Rogholt and Solarz. Others present were Superintendent Watkins, Business Manager Eisenschenk, Director of Teaching and Learning Bushman, Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services White, Director of Technology Mackenthun, SRRHS Principal Martens, SRRMS Principal Rudolph, SRRHS Assistant Principal Nohner, SRRHS Assistant Principal Logrono, Rice Principal Paasch, MHES Principal Peterson, and SRRHS Student Council Representative Kockler.

APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA A motion was made by Holthaus, seconded by Rogholt and unanimously carried to approve the meeting agenda as amended.

BOARD OF EDUCATION RECOGNITION Superintendent Watkins, District Administration recognized the Board of Education for their service to District students, parents and staff, as well as the greater communities of Sauk Rapids and Rice.

SRRHS PRINCIPAL MARTENS RECOGNITION Board of Education members, Superintendent Watkins, and District Administration recognized Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Principal Erich Martens for his service to SRRHS students and parents, District staff and administration, the communities of Sauk Rapids and Rice, as well as local, state, and national educational and service organizations.

CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Braun, seconded by Morse and unanimously carried to approve the meeting’s “Consent Agenda.”

PUBLIC INPUT Public input was taken at 7:32 p.m.; Jordyn Brown the new St. Cloud Times reporter introduced herself to the Board and District Administration, and let them know she looks forward to working with them.

ACTION ITEMS APPROVAL OF REVIEW AND COMMENT APPLICATION A motion was made by Rogholt, seconded by Morse and unanimously carried to approve the Review and Comment document, which is required by MN Statute to be submitted to and considered by the Commissioner of Education at the Minnesota Department of Education.

ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SCHOOL BUILDING BONDS AND CALLING AN ELECTION THERON Member Braun introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption, which motion was seconded by Member Butkowski: RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE NECESSITY OF ISSUING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION THEREON BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board (the Board) of Independent School District No. 47 (Sauk Rapids-Rice), Minnesota (the School District) as follows: It is hereby found, determined and declared as follows: 1. The Board has investigated the facts and does hereby Ànd, determine and declare that it is necessary and expedient to issue general obligation school building bonds of the School District in an aggregate amount not to exceed $93,185,000 (the Bonds), for acquisition and betterment of school facilities, including the reconstruction of a new elementary school to replace Pleasantview Elementary School in its current location, a new elementary school on District owned property near the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School campus, improve secured entrances at Mississippi Heights Elementary, Rice Elementary, Hillside Early Childhood Center, Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School, and Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, construction of outdoor Àelds for physical education and athletics at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, and expansion of early childhood learning space for Hillside Early Childhood Center and Rice Elementary School, all pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 475.

2. The projects described in paragraph 1 have been submitted to the Commissioner of Education of the State of Minnesota for Review and Comment. The actions of the School District’s administration in applying to the Minnesota Department of Education for the Commissioner’s Review and Comment and taking such other actions as necessary to comply with the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Section 123B.71, as amended, are hereby authorized and approved in all respects. The Board’s determination to hold the election to authorize the issuance of the Bonds is contingent upon receiving a favorable Review and Comment. When the Commissioner’s favorable Review and Comment is received, the Clerk is authorized and directed to publish a summary of the Review and Comment in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the School District not less than twenty (20) nor more than sixty (60) days before the special election date and the School District will hold a public meeting on the Review and Comment prior to the date of the election.

3. The question on the issuance of the Bonds shall be submitted to the qualiÀed electors of the School District at a special election, which is hereby called and directed to be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

4. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 205A.11, the School District’s combined polling places and the precincts served by the polling places, as established and designated by resolution of the Board, are hereby designated for this special election 5.The Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause written notice of the special election to be: (a) provided to the County Auditor at least seventy-four (74) days before the date of the special election; (b) provided to the Commissioner of Education at least seventy-four (74) days before the date of the special election; (c) sent by nonforwardable mail to every affected household in the District with at least one registered voter at least fourteen (14) days before the date of the special election; (d) posted at the administrative ofÀces of the School District, for public inspection, at least ten (10) days before the date of the special election; and (e) published in the ofÀcial newspaper of the School District once each week for at least two consecutive weeks, with the last publication being at least one week before the date of the special election. The Notice of Special Election shall be prepared in substantially the following form: NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 47 (SAUK RAPIDS-RICE), MINNESOTA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special election has been called and will be held in and for Independent School District No. 47 (Sauk Rapids-Rice), Minnesota, on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to vote on the following question: SCHOOL DISTRICT BALLOT QUESTION APPROVAL OF SCHOOL BUILDING BONDS Shall the School Board of Independent School District No. 47 (Sauk Rapids-Rice), Minnesota, be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $93,185,000, for acquisition and betterment of school facilities, including the reconstruction of a new elementary school to replace Pleasantview Elementary School in its current location, a new elementary school on District owned property near the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School campus, improve secured entrances at Mississippi Heights Elementary, Rice Elementary, Hillside Early Childhood Center, Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School, and Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, construction of outdoor Àelds for physical education and athletics at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, and expansion of early childhood learning space for Hillside Early Childhood Center and Rice Elementary School?

BY VOTING “YES” ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

BY VOTING “YES” ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, (Reverse side of ballot) YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE OFFICIAL BALLOT May 8, 2018 The polling places and precincts served by the polling places for the special election will be as follows: _________________________ Combined Polling Place: Judge The Sauk Rapids Government Center __________________________ 250 Summit Avenue North Judge

BENTON AG

PAGE 6B | SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018 | BENTON AG

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negative. As with any major move in Washington it is a real effort to wade through the rhetoric and expressed opinions to get an unbiased view of how the budget would affect our farmers The proposed budget would cut the federal crop insurance program by $22.4 billion over the 2019-28 period. This includes acrossthe-board cuts for all farmers, no matter the size. The budget would also reduce underwriting subsidies for participating insurance companies by placing a cap on underwriting gains at 12 percent or $3 billion over the 2019-28 period.

The plan allocates 200-billion federal dollars over 10 years for infrastructure, including 50-billion for rural infrastructure and 100-billion for an incentives program that would encourage local and state investment in projects while funding up to 20 percent of the projects.

Eighty percent of the 50-billion dollars allocated to rural infrastructure would be block grants to the states, with the other 20 percent for rural performance grants.

All of these dollars have to be used for projects in areas

BY ROGER STROM The Business of Farming

with fewer than 50-thousand people.

Trump’s budget would eliminate the Conservation Stewardship Program. Over 72 million acres of farm, ranch, and forestland is currently enrolled in CSP, roughly 8 percent of all agricultural land.

The Economic Research Service’s budget would be cut by nearly 50 percent and the Agricultural Research Service by 14.5 percent. Of concern is that China, India, and other countries have increased their investments in agricultural research.

The budget proposes a $214 billion cut in food assistance through cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

It would also target program subsidies for those producers that have an adjusted gross income of $500,000 or less. Those reductions are estimated at $3 billion over the 2019-28 period. A similar proposal would limit the number of people who can register as a farm manager and thereby receive payments.

USDA’s Rural Business and Cooperative Service would be eliminated. A program that has been credited with creating or saving nearly 90,000 jobs in 2015 and 2016.

One of the concerns is the potential ramiÀcations the budget proposal could have on the farm bill. Congress reauthorized the farm bill in 2014 and is preparing to reauthorize again this year.

The proposed budget takes a big bite out of many of the programs that are part of the farm bill. With the added pressure of President’s Àscal year 2019 budget, farm bill debate will undoubtedly go well beyond the September expiration of the current reauthorization.

Adding even more uncertainty to an already stressed farm economy.

Notes from winter forage workshop I am taking time to look back Higher chloride levels in alfalfa at notes from the Tour de Forage help to improve DCAD balance.

Winter Workshop that took place When grass approaches Jan. 31 in Albany. Ev Thomas, 2 percent potassium, consider formerly at Cornell University harvesting second and perhaps and the Miner Agriculture Àrst crop grass for prefresh dry Research Center in New York, cows. Potassium percentage was the featured speaker. is lower when grown under Grass and alfalfa: Only about warm dry condition. If you 10 percent of alfalfa in the country BY DAN MARTENS are adventurous, top-dress 50 is seeded with a forage grass. pounds of calcium chloride right University of About 85 percent of the alfalfa in after Àrst grass cutting. It will MN Extension New York, New England states not affect potassium levels, but and Eastern Canada is seeded will decrease DCAD. Calcium with a grass. Tall fescue is the most common chloride Áakes absorb water from the air or companion grass in that area. Meadow fescue soil and can quickly turn to slush in hot humid may be a better choice for higher quality, but weather. may yield a little less than tall fescue. Grass Calcium sulfate can be the least expensive can be especially beneÀcial in high corn silage form of sulfur for alfalfa. Applying ammonium rations. It can help reduce rumen acidosis and sulfate (AMS) for alfalfa is a more expensive lameness. source of sulfur because the alfalfa does not Alfalfa-grass almost always yields more need the nitrogen. Some farmers Àgure even than straight alfalfa. A major challenge is to alfalfa seems to beneÀt from the nitrogen from get the right percent of grass in a stand. More AMS in early spring. This would make an rain after seeding often results in heavier interesting Àeld trial. AMS is an economical grass stands. Cornell research suggests even source of sulfur for corn because in many one pound of seed per acre for orchard grass cases corn beneÀts from the nitrogen in AMS. may be too much. Plants per square foot is Sulfur application is based primarily on what counts, so consider seeds per pound soil texture. Sulfur is quite mobile in the soil, when looking at seeding rates. Three to four so a soil test is less reliable. Tissue testing pounds of tall fescue or meadow fescue could can be a gauge of how sulfur application is be enough in a mix with alfalfa. meeting needs. Consider soil moisture and Grass has a Àbrous root system compared other factors that can confuse results from to alfalfa. It has more root surface in contact tissue sampling. with the soil. So, it can take up potassium High soil phosphorus levels can tie up zinc much faster than alfalfa. Grass can actually in corn enough to show deÀciency conditions. starve alfalfa of the potassium the alfalfa This is more likely if subsoils are also high needs and reduce alfalfa stands. Ev said not in phosphorus. This is less likely if manure to seed alfalfa-grass mixtures unless the is the source of phosphorus, because manure potassium soil test is in a medium high to high can also be a good source of zinc. range.

Boron applications should be based The Miner Institute spent time and money on a soil test because excess boron can be to achieve low DCAD (related to cation detrimental to many crops. Alfalfa growers balance) levels in forage grasses for prefresh should also monitor pH levels. Generally a dairy cows. Higher potassium levels in grass pH of 6.5 is considered adequate for alfalfa, hay can cause DCAD balance problems but a pH closer to 6.9 may be beneÀcial. The for cows and heifers close to freshening. pH is important for supporting bacteria that Increasing sulfur can help, but sulfur in grass enable alfalfa roots to capture the nitrogen it has low bioavailability. Calcium chloride needs from the air. The pH can also affect the works much better but is tricky to apply availability of other nutrients. because it attracts water and can turn to mush. salvage Amish farmer 715-6972916 Trailer Sales! Skildloader trailer 14,000# with LESS LOAD ANGLE! 4’ dovetail, 4’ full width spring assist ramps, will fold Áat on trailer. 10,000# plus payload, 16’ 18’ + 20’ FREE 10 ply SPARE. Triton 2-place enclose snowmobile trailers; Mission 4-place open snowmobile trailers; 2018 6’X12’ V-nose, ramp door $2,780.00. 16,000# Gravity tilt bumper pull trailer.

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BENTON AG | SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018 | PAGE 7B

Making a smooth transition TIRES

BY ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER

ST. CLOUD – Transitioning a family farm from one generation to the next tends to be a daunting task for most farmers.

Younger generations can have different ideas for the farm operation and both sides of the negotiation can be stubborn.

Megan Roberts, an extension educator in agricultural business management with the University of Minnesota Extension ofÀce, helps families with their farm transition frequently, in addition to being a part of two farm transitions personally.

“Working on a farm is both a blessing and a challenge,” Roberts said.

“You live where you work, you are your own boss, your family is there and you are working with your family.

All of that is a blessing, but working on a farm can also be challenging for all of those same reasons.”

Throughout her experiences, she has given tips to provide a smooth transition. Roberts presented her tips and experiences Feb. 15 at the Women in Ag conference in St. Cloud.

“There are lots of aspects to a farm transition, and it isn’t always the smoothest or the most enjoyable,” Roberts said. “The Àrst step is to differentiate family and farm business. Particularly in the transition process, it is best to leave the farm discussions outside of the home and keep the time inside around the dinner table as family time.”

Roberts stated the Àrst

Megan Roberts step to a farm transition is having effective communication, recognizing the communication styles of all those involved and that all parties involved must by willing to start the discussion.

“There are so many cases where the farm transition is difÀcult because the dad isn’t ready to give up the control of the farm or the sons aren’t ready for the long list of responsibilities that come with running a farm,” Roberts said. “If one of the parties isn’t ready to start the transition discussion, then it shouldn’t happen.”

Once the discussion is able to start, Roberts provided some dos and don’ts for the conversations to take place.

She recommends avoiding the kitchen table and not discussing on a holiday.

“I’ve had so many people say they are planning on having a discussion about the transition of the farm on Christmas Eve around the dinner table,” Roberts said.

“I strongly discourage that because if the discussion doesn’t go well, then everyone is left with sour memories on a day and at a place that is normally meant for happy times as a family.”

Roberts stated in the past, she has seen discussions go well if it is in a place where all parties are comfortable.

It could be a fellowship hall at church or a café or even a shop on the farm.

Roberts also offered some

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tips for the discussion itself – being an engaged listener, looking for enhancing behaviors and characteristics and considering the differences between the parties involved.

“Being an engaged listener is really important in a farm transition discussion,” Roberts said. “Focusing fully on the speaker while avoiding interrupting or redirecting the conversation is key. It shows you are interested in what that person has to say and it helps to set aside judgement for that person’s opinions and views, too.”

Roberts also believes in focusing on the enhancement of behaviors and characteristics during the discussion. Keeping a mutual trust and respect for everyone and their viewpoints helps maintain the sincerity of the conversation.

“Keeping these things in mind helps the discussion Áow better and helps with having an open mind in listening throughout the conversation,” Roberts said.

“It also helps with clarity in knowing that you will do well for everyone involved. That’s so important.”

Roberts said to keep in mind gender differences, communication style differences and personality differences in the transition conversations.

“The more you focus on adapting to others in the logistics of the conversation, the easier it will be,” Roberts said. “It helps in seeing the other person’s approach and makes the overall conversation easier to address on all sides.”

Roberts feels her tips can be used frequently, not just in the farm transition processes.

“These are good things to note in everyday work on the farm,” Roberts said.

“Even if you aren’t going through a transition right now, I encourage people to keep these things in mind. It will make things easier when it comes time to transition the farm.”

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PAGE 8B | SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018 | BENTON AG

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ST. CLOUD – Often in life, there are good days and bad, particularly on a farm.

Calves are born and cows get sick and die.

Denise Stromme believes life is what you make of it and even the worst of days on the farm can be thought of in a positive manner.

Stromme works at the University of Minnesota Extension OfÀce in Brainerd and educates people in the agriculture industry on the difference in perception. She spoke Feb.15 at the Women in Ag conference in St. Cloud.

“Your perception on how you think your life is going is exactly how things will turn out,” Stromme said at the beginning of her presentation. “If you think negatively, then life will be difÀcult, but it’s easy to change your perception to start living a more positive life. We see what we look

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Denise Stromme for, so if we are looking for positive things, that’s what we will see in life.”

The Àrst step to changing your perception is spending time for yourself and not feeling guilty about it. The second is Ànding ways to help others enhance the positivity in their lives.

Stromme notes both can be accomplished using the PERMA method – positive emotion, engagement, positive relationships, meaning and accomplishment.

Positive emotion is something Stromme says takes effort, taking three positive emotions to override one negative.

“It’s about being mindful by taking instances and turning them into positive emotions, even if it means creating micro-moments and being happy about the little things,” Stromme said.

“Ultimately, those little things that make you happy will add up and change the outlook of your day.”

Stromme also believes

engagement leads to a happier persona.

“You have to be engaged and into what you are doing,” Stromme said. “If you are on the farm and you have a tough day, it’s going to be harder to deal with it if you aren’t engaged in the overall quality and Áow of your business and the day’s tasks at hand.”

Positive relationships are another aspect Stromme feels is important.

“Having positive relationships with others has the same effect as not smoking or being at a healthy weight,” Stromme said. “You can be surprised at how many friendships and good working relationships you can form by getting personal and allowing time to converse with others.”

Along with being engaged in everyday life, Stromme also believes that you need to have meaning in your life.

“Everyone needs to have a purpose and reasons to get out of bed in the morning,” Stromme said. “Everyone should be asking themselves frequently ‘what are the things that keep me going in life?’ Asking that question

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The last piece of the PERMA puzzle is accomplishment.

“Everyone needs to celebrate the big and the small,” Stromme said. “And it’s more about frequency rather than intensity, so having many more little accomplishments rather than a few big ones. Our brain is made to get rid of the negative things, so the more we think positively and celebrate the little things, the happier and more relaxed we will be.”

After talking about some examples in her work and hearing other stories, Stromme spoke of the differences in her life.

“The more I do these things, the happier I feel, which then reÁects on others around me,” Stromme said.

“I start the day with sense and end my day with a better sense of calm. I slow down to watch the sunrise and take in the little moments. If you do all of these things in succession of one another, you won’t be getting by, but you will be thriving in life.

This idea of thriving is up to you and it’s kind of fun.”

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